Slow water drain

[jordan456789]

Last winter i noticed that my flush was draining really slowly but it seemed to clear up on its own. It happened a couple times but always cleared up on its own. Now fast forward to this winter it is happening again but it is worse. The flush will fill up to the top and slowly drain. I also noticed that if i were to use the washing machine while running the shower the tub would fill up and slowly drain. This leads me to believe it is an issue with my main drain. I pulled the flush up and checked it and there is nothing in the flush. I put a 20 foot snake down the drain from the flush and it doesn't seem to be catching anything. While I had the flush up i turned on the sink and the shower and the water in the flush drain started to raise. Also when i flush the toilet small air bubbles comes up. Every once in a while when i flush the toilet it will work but if i do it right after it won't. Since i have only had problems in the winter i put hot water down the drain to see if it was froze and it didn't fix the problem. I noticed that when i pour water down the flush some leaks around the bottom so i have to change the seal but what could be the problem? Thanks in advance

[SewerRatz]

There is a partial blockage in your drainage system and you will need more than a 20 foot snake.

[Verdeboy]

You have all the classic symptoms of a partially clogged main drain, as SewerRatz said. You need to hire a professional, who will snake it out using a 100 ft cable from one of the clean-outs.

It probably takes a year to clog back up, which is why you seem to have this problem around the same time each year. They can also use a camera to see what's going on.

[jordan456789]

If it is a clog in the main sewer drain could it be fixed by a snake you get at home depot or is it likely to be something a professional would have to be called for? Any ideas why little air bubbles would come up when i flush?

[jadnashua]

A small snake head will poke a hole in the blockage, not clean the pipe so it will likely clog up again quickly...often not worth the effort. The air trapped in the pipe has to go somewhere...normally it goes up the vent so that could be blocked, too.

[SewerRatz]

I just said on a different post you can rent a machine for cleaning main drains, but they are very dangerous to use. The air bubbles is caused by when you have a slug of water heading towards the blockage in the system the trapped air wants to escape.

[jordan456789]

I know every job is different but would anyone have an estimate on how long it would take a professional? Kind of wondering how much i am looking at. I appreciate everyone's input.

[SewerRatz]

I know every job is different but would anyone have an estimate on how long it would take a professional? Kind of wondering how much i am looking at. I appreciate everyone's input.

If you where in my neck of the woods, and you had a proper clean out it shouldn't take more than an hour. We charge $265 for the first hour and $80 per half hour there after. If I had to pull your water closet to rod the sewer you can add another half hour to it. Now this is just a ball park cause we have no idea what is in your sewer clogging it. It can go quick and easy and the job is done in a half hour.. or it can take 3 hours. But on the average most main line roddings take an hour.

[Verdeboy]

I know every job is different but would anyone have an estimate on how long it would take a professional? Kind of wondering how much i am looking at. I appreciate everyone's input.

I would call Roto-Rooter or some other Drain Specialist. It usually takes no more than a half-hour from start to finish, and should cost between $100-$150--a little more or a little less, depending on where you live.

[jordan456789]

I just said on a different post you can rent a machine for cleaning main drains, but they are very dangerous to use. The air bubbles is caused by when you have a slug of water heading towards the blockage in the system the trapped air wants to escape.

Why do you say the electric ones are very dangerous?

[SewerRatz]

Why do you say the electric ones are very dangerous?

Well you have a motor spinning the cable, if you get the cutter bound up in the blockage and are not quick enough to free it, and to slow getting off the foot switch, it can wrap around you and brake fingers, hands , arms, or even remove said body parts.

[Redwood]

I would call Roto-Rooter or some other Drain Specialist. It usually takes no more than a half-hour from start to finish, and should cost between $100-$150--a little more or a little less, depending on where you live.

Prices vary widely across the country and Verdeboy lives in an area that is severely depressed economically. Here in the Northeast Baltimore to Boston I doubt you could get a toilet augered for $150 nevermind having a Rooter company do it. They are usually on the upper end of the price scale.

[Verdeboy]

Prices vary widely across the country and Verdeboy lives in an area that is severely depressed economically. Here in the Northeast Baltimore to Boston I doubt you could get a toilet augered for $150 nevermind having a Rooter company do it. They are usually on the upper end of the price scale.

Last year, when I visited my parents in SE Michigan, they got their main line rodded out for $80.00 from a reputable plumbing company. So, prices do vary tremendously.

[kingsotall]

Ah ah ah fellas, there's a whole 'nuther forum for price debating...

Rugged has some very insightful words when it comes to your pricing. Has changed my whole outlook.

[Redwood]

Ah ah ah fellas, there's a whole 'nuther forum for price debating...

Rugged has some very insightful words when it comes to your pricing. Has changed my whole outlook.

I agree!

We really shouldn't be talking prices at all in the open forum.
If someone around here ended up thinking they could get a line rodded at the prices given they could have a very long wait. It's not fair to the poster and the companies they call to have the work done. Pricing it is what it is...